The PCS of Akiko needs to go up. Her costume is absolutely glorious. She could opt to up the ante by doing the triple lutz-double toe-double toe and double axel-tripe toe and another double axel triple toe-double loop sequence.

I like the music and she seems so much more lyrical in this routine. But there are so few medals. I want so many to win. I'd love to see Mao win, Lip, Tuk, Sot and Leonova to win (and they can't even all make it to Oly or world's), add Yuna and Joannie if she came back plus there are so many good Americans who I would like to win. Sentimentally, Akiko is the Maria Butyrskaya - you just have to cheer for them.

I went back and watched the program. It's stunning, isn't it? Akiko has a flow and power that makes her almost unique among women currently skating. There are so many details besides the glory of her skating that add to this program. For one thing, I love that her costume is a deep, rich blue rather than a pastel color. It conveys an emotional fullness. I also like that her music isn't commonly used. It's a lovely, melodic, haunting tune but not one we can all hum because we know it so well. It belongs to her alone.

If she won Worlds, I'd be thrilled. If Mao won Worlds, I'd be thrilled. Beyond that I can't narrow it down. I'd just love to see both of them on the podium.